People saw my son being killed but shut their eyes to it … it is as simple as that …Silent witnesses add to family's heartache

THE family of a dad publicly beaten to death on Christmas Day believe justice was not done because some witnesses were too scared to speak up.

The back court where Thomas Roberts, 43, was killed is overlooked by dozens of flats and neighbours provided a graphic account to the media hours after it happened.

But it is suspected some clammed up because they wanted no involvement with the police or courts.

Thomas's sister June MacKay, 43, said: "People knew more than they were willing to say. We believe that people saw and heard but decided not to say anything.

"I would urge them to examine their consciences. Christmas is around the corner and we have empty chair syndrome.

"Some of these people spoke to the media at the time. Where are their morals?"

Thomas died of head injuries following what police called a "sustained" attack in Milton, Glasgow, last year.

Railway engineer David McDade, 35, walked free after a not proven verdict at the end of a two-week trial at the High Court in Dumbarton.

But the thug was convicted of assaulting Thomas's friend David McKinnon, 50, at the same time and place as the attack which took Thomas's life.

He was jailed for 15 months but freed due to time on remand.

McDade's defence to the murder charge, carried out by lawyer Donald Findlay QC, was based on a claim that McKinnon had attacked Thomas.

He had been visiting McKinnon when McDade, who lived in a flat below, came to the door "ranting and raving like a maniac".

It was alleged that McDade barged inside and repeatedly punched Thomas on the face and head.

McKinnon told the court Thomas tried to flee but McDade caught him and continued the brutal assault.

Thomas's dad Lenny, 69, said: "We believe that some people saw my son getting murdered but they shut their eyes to it. It's as simple as that. I think they're scared.

"They wanted nothing to do with the police or justice system."

In an exclusive interview with our sister paper the Sunday Mail yesterday, the family called for the not proven verdict to be scrapped.

Lenny added: "My wife Margaret doesn't keep well. It's breaking her down. She was in hospital all weekend and she didn't sleep and she's not slept since she came home. She's breaking her heart.”

First published in the Daily Record on September 11, 2017

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/this-not-justice-tragic-son-11142330

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